Blog

Today, many work environments require you to do some degree of public speaking. It may be speaking at a workplace meeting, giving a presentation to your team, delivering a workshop at a conference or presenting awards. We are also called … Continued

Like pretty much everyone else I know, I am heading towards Christmas trying to get everything up-to-date before the magical date of December 25th. Why this becomes an unspoken deadline I don’t know, but every year it’s the same. … Continued

How often do you find yourself being asked this question or worse still, asking it? I run my own small business and I often get asked are you busy? I’m never quite sure how to respond. If I say no, … Continued

Internal communication influences our external communication I needed a par on the 16th hole. I was having a great round and as a result, I began to put myself under pressure. I stood over the ball and took extra care to … Continued

Your boss has asked you to write an article on how to take care of cats. The laptop is open and the screen is eagerly awaiting to be filled with words that are interesting, intelligent and informative. The clock … Continued

The New Zealand festival is well underway in Wellington. The range of performing arts means that there is something to suit everyone’s taste. All art tells a story. A narrative is not merely words on paper. It moves through a … Continued

This is the time of year where we plan our business strategy, goals, marketing and budgets. But have you thought about planning your business writing? Communication is a key part of any organisation. We produce web content, blogs newsletters, daily … Continued

Christmas is supposed to be a time of great joy, yet often we become harried and stressed as clients and customers demand Christmas deadlines. December 25th is looming and our patience is wearing thin. Under these circumstances it is easy … Continued

This morning I paused on my morning walk to stand on the ridge above my house overlooking the bay. I watched two bright red tug boats bring a large container ship into the harbour. Against the back drop of the … Continued

A good writer should write for their audience and so it is with our verbal communication. We should speak for our listener, not ourselves. I’ll give you an example. My grandmother is 99 years old in two weeks time. She … Continued

Most emails are written to inform or persuade but how many emails are long winded and never seem to get to the point. Do you send out emails like this? If you do, don’t worry. You can learn to write … Continued

Last week a client of mine rang me to talk about his new website. After 30 years as a tradesman his son told him he needed to have an internet presence. So my client dutifully set about getting a website … Continued

Do you think you communicate well with your customers and how do you know? I recently saw a LinkedIn post that asked the question “Can you sum up in just one word the one requirement for customer communication success?” The … Continued

In recent times I have had the privilege of spending more time with my 98 year old Grandmother as I have taken over the logistics of her care.About two months ago she had a fall and as a result she … Continued

Andrew is a furniture maker. He is a craftsman with over 30 years’ experience who takes a great deal of pride in the creation of his pieces. Andrew has the ability to breathe life into wood. He transforms rough and … Continued

Good business writing is written with clarity and simplicity. Information is organised for the message and context and the medium is appropriate for the message. It is audience focused with a pleasant friendly tone that builds goodwill. Communicate to problem … Continued

Technology lessons from a three year old Tenby Powell, a SME advocate, was quoted in the Business News (Sunday Star times June 9th) saying it “really is critical that companies have some form of digital presence so they can … Continued

PLEASE P Pay attention to the customer. Put down or aside what you are doing and give your undivided attention. Give eye contact if face to face, if on the phone, don’t try doing another task on the computer … Continued